An e-mail from the joint Legislative Rules Committee warned Capitol staff about large crowds expected at a conservative rally Friday. But instead of using the term "tea party" to describe the rally (the term preferred by rally organizers), the Rules Committee memo uses the pejorative term 'tea bag rally' to describe the gathering.

The sexually explicit "tea-bagging" terminology has been adopted by liberal opponents of the rally. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper apologized for making a joke about tea-bagging to descibe the April 15 anti-tax rallies.

Here's a copy of the Rules Committee e-mail:

—–Original Message—–
From: Assembly Rules
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 4:02 PM
To: Assemblywide – All Capitol Member Offices (AC01-AC80); Assemblywide – All Committee Offices; Assemblywide – All Support Offices
Subject: "Tea Bag" Rally, August 28th

Room 3016, State Capitol, P. O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA  94249-0115, (916) 319-2800

DATE:                        August27, 2009

TO:                  Assembly and SenateEmployees

FROM:                        Joint Rules Committee

SUBJECT:      "Tea Bag" Rally on the West and South side of Capitol, August 28th  

——————————————————————————————————————–( 52 )———–

We would like to make the Capitol Staff aware that on Friday, August 28^th there will be a “Tea Bag” rally on the West and South sides of the Capitol Building from 12 to 2pm.  The CHP crowd estimate is 8000 to 10,000 attending.  This may mean larger than normal groups in the North and South Pavilions for entrance to the Capitol.  Please plan accordingly. 

Also, please note that the West Doors will be closed as an entrance and exit due to the main set up for the rally. 

Thank you for your cooperation and understating as always.  If you have any questions, please call the Assembly Rules Committee at (916) 319-2800.